What Jewish Democrats hope Harris will say in her DNC acceptance speech
Vice President Kamala Harris on Aug. 20, 2024. Photo by Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
By Jacob Kornbluh August 22, 2024
CHICAGO — They do not expect her to talk extensively about Israel or too directly about antisemitism. But Jewish delegates to the Democratic National Convention and Jewish activists huddling on its sidelines will be listening for resonances that relate to their experience as Vice President Kamala Harris accepts her party’s presidential nomination tonight at the United Center.
In conversations at Jew-ish events around the convention this week, they spoke about Harris’s longstanding relationships with Jews — especially the man she married 10 years ago today — and her active role in supporting Israel after Oct. 7. They expressed some anxiety about the ways the war in Gaza threatens to divide the party, even as “Uncommitted” delegates staged a sit-in demanding a Palestinian be allowed to address the convention.
Mostly, though, they were excited about the positive energy they have been experiencing inside the arena all week, the joy.
“She is addressing the Democratic Party, way beyond the people who are in this room or Jews, as important as we are,” said Ann Lewis, former President Bill Clinton’s communications director, who is now a leader in the Democratic Majority for Israel. “Harris is addressing millions of voters and potential voters and people around the world in making the case for the future.”
Harris is set to speak for about 30 minutes, with a focus on sharing her personal story and her career as a prosecutor. A campaign official said the goal is to contrast her optimistic vision for the future with former President Donald Trump’s portrayal of a country in crisis.
On the war, don’t expect her to go beyond her publicly stated position, which calls for an immediate ceasefire to alleviate Palestinian suffering and return the 100-plus hostages who remain in Gaza.
“I’m not sure there’s much else left to say other than what’s already been said,” said Larry Gellman of Tucson, Arizona, who is active in J Street and is a member of the Forward’s advisory board. “She’s going to talk about other things that are much more on the mind of most people, including Jews,” he added, listing healthcare, abortion rights and the economy.
Paul Rosenthal, a delegate from Colorado, said the possibility of a Harris presidency, and the elevation of her Jewish husband, Doug Emhoff, to become “First Mensch,” has heightened the anticipation and excitement. “This convention shows our diversity,” he said. “As much as we have some differences on some issues, we can agree on so many things that we need so we can move this country forward.”
High level of enthusiasm
Charles Horowitz, a 21-year-old delegate from Florida attending his first convention, said he is eager to hear about “the Democratic Party’s ironclad commitment to equal protection for all.” He is also looking forward to “her inspirational words” as Harris addresses the fight against hate, including antisemitism.
Amy Spitalnick, chief executive of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said she suspects that combatting hate and extremism – an issue that has come up repeatedly in the past three days – “will be woven into the broader conversation around her acceptance speech, even if she’s not going down into the weeds of the antisemitism strategy.”
Others tried to avoid any specific substantive expectations.
“This is not a State of the Union,” noted Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, a delegate from Maryland. “We want the joy. People are so excited that it’s not a death march to an election defeat and that we have somebody who’s kind, passionate and a human being.”
What to expect from Harris on the Gaza war
When mentioning the Middle East, Jewish leaders expect Harris to acknowledge the “Uncommitted” movement’s opposition to the Gaza war and address broader concerns about regional conflict.
“I think it is really important that she provides a sense of hope and solution and a focus on the future in a balanced way,” said Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the pro-Israel, pro-peace J Street.
Spitalnick said Harris has effectively navigated the complexities of the situation “in a way that is truly aligned with where the majority of American Jews and Americans are – unequivocal support for Israel’s security and the Israeli people, the release of hostages while also simultaneously expressing deep empathy for Palestinians.”
Tamara Erickson, a pro-ceasefire delegate from Lake Forest Park, Washington, said she wants to be “cautiously optimistic” that Harris will come closer to her views on the conflict. “But my fear is that she will continue to toe the party line” on the need for a ceasefire while still sending weapons to Israel. “I want Harris to be my president, and I want her to stand up for universal human rights, which is a core democratic value.”
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